Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Snow can make the most interesting shapes in the landscape. For example, the old truck in this painting. One knows its a truck but the snow can't blanket and take away all its character. When it's the first snow and many of the leaves are still clinging to the trees the remaining spectacular color shows up so nicely with a white background. All great subjects for a image hungry artist!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Ever since this little one came into my life last year I end up painting her constantly. She is my loyal and lovable companion curled up in her bed next to my easel in the gallery. Consequently, she is often my muse.John K. Harrell Fine Art

I Have been tagged by a couple of my fellow daily painters, Mark Adams and Mike Rooney. I have been amiss and not playing the game as quickly as I would like. I have been busily painting for my one man show in Scottsdale Arizona at the Bonner David Galleries which opens on December 18, 2008. Mark and Mike, I admire both of you as artists and the dedication you have to the daily painting movement. So thank you for the tagging and here's to getting to know more about all of my fellow painters !

1. I am a licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Colorado.

2. My middle name is Kerry which only my family uses. My mother was watching a Cary Grant movie the night I was born. Still haven't figured out why she chose this particular spelling though.

3. I graduated from the Culinary Institute in Denver with a specialty in Bakery. I particularly enjoyed the whole process of decorating cakes.

4. I have a bad boy side who secretly enjoys wearing leather and smoking an occasional cigar.

5. My favorite movie/series is "Ann of Green Gables".

6. My favorite book is the Chronicles of Narnia.

7. If I couldn't be an Artist, and I could magically become something else it would be a famous Singer because I have absolutely no musical talent but very much enjoy and respect those who do.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

This little lady was playing next to a big fountain in the town square of Portland Oregon. She was so in the moment and completely focused on having a good time that I had to take her picture. I have always wanted to paint her ever since I took her picture and as it turned out I had as much fun painting as she was playing. I guess it was her way of paying it forward. Thanks little lady.

Monday, November 24, 2008

In my travels I have come to a few places that exceed my expectations. The South of France particularly this little town called Saint Remy is one of them. My totally cool and loved cousin Jim lived there and invited me for a visit. It was to be my first time out of the country and ended up the most fantastic trip of my life. I now know why he chose Saint Remy for his residence, it's absolutely enchanting. Thanks Jim for a truly life changing adventure! Oh, and Jim you're in this painting.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

This is a small painting I did of some grapes I took a picture of in Tuscany Italy a couple of years ago. I have always been drawn to this image and finally got around to painting it. I tend to pick compositions that zoom into the subject making them more intimate paintings. EnjoyJohn K. Harrell Fine Art

Thursday, November 13, 2008

I had such fun today with this one. Some days painting just flows. I will set it up and start the painting then before I know it I have a good piece. I can be thinking of something totally off the subject of my work and it doesn't seem to affect the out come. Painting doesn't always flow like that but when it does, it's magic!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The electricity of the city creates a exciting feeling of energy and movement in a painting. I don't really have to try and recreate it in the painting it just happens on it's own.John K. Harrell Fine Art

Sunday, November 9, 2008

This is another painting of Portland Oregon. I'm very enamored with the look and feel of this city and I'm having a great time painting it. Painting these little paintings is really sharpening my skills as a painter and challenging my daily dedication to doing them. I like a challenge for sure.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Since we don't have a trolley I was quite taken with it when in I was in Portland. With the fall foliage as a back drop to the city and lights of the trolley I thought that it would make an interesting painting.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Stella is a new addition to the family of my neighbors Scott and Jackie. She is a miniature dachshund. The day she came home is the day I took the picture that was used for inspiration. Congrats Scott and Jackie she's a keeper!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

This is another painting inspired from my friend's photography. This little guy was bounding around the grassy meadow heading west up the canyon from Denver. There is a buffalo ranch not to far from here where sight seers can pull off the highway and watch the buffalo. Rob Munger took some great shots and I am grateful to him for allowing me to use them for my daily work. Thanks Rob!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Here is an urban landscape combining both of my favorite subjects. Urban elements and flowers! This old jeep was parked in this over grown spring garden that just took my breath away. I must of taken three hundred pictures that day. I have since named the garden my orgasmic garden.

Friday, October 3, 2008

I just had to jump the gun a bit with this winter scene. It just spoke to me so I had to paint it. The warm glow in the windows makes me think of being all cozy and warm while a fierce winter storm is swirling around outside.John K. Harrell Fine ArtDaily Impressionist Painters

Monday, September 29, 2008

Sometimes when I pick a composition for an urban painting the architecture is the focus of the piece. That happens to be the case here. The challenge is simplifying the building enough to make it compliment and fit in with the rest of the composition. By George I think I got it!

John K. Harrell

About Me

Since early youth, supported by the encouragement of his grandmother who painted beside him, John K. Harrell has engaged in an artistic dialogue with his surroundings. Using color, light and form, his work celebrates the beauty and the poignancy of the seemingly commonplace. Here is an artist who delights in color and shape, whose technique is classical and impressionistic, and whose work virtually sings of his personal love affair with life.
John says of his process “Being an artist is doing what comes naturally. My subjects choose me-their patterns and shapes, their sense of rhythm and movement, inspire my creative energy. Pastel and acrylic allow me to capture the immediacy of the experience.”
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, John studied at the Colorado State University and attended classes at the Art Students League of Denver, Colorado. He has made his home in Denver where he has cultivated a strong and loyal national and local following.